ASU Blanks UNC Asheville 3-0

Aug. 31, 2012. ASHEVILLE, N.C. – After not giving up a shot on goal for the second straight match, Appalachian State University blanked UNC Asheville 3-0 Thursday afternoon at Greenwood Field.

With the win, the Mountaineers improve to 2-0 on the young season, as Asheville goes to 1-2.

The defense shined all match, only allowing the Bulldogs to take three shots and not allowing one to trouble junior goalkeeper Danny Free. App State tallied 13 shots in the second period after only posting three in the first 45 minutes.

“I think it’s a testament to the team that we can go out and defend for 180 minutes and not give up a shot on goal,” head coach Matt Nelson said. “We defended as an entire team so you have to give the credit to the entire team.”

After a slow opening half, senior Nate Latigue got Appalachian on the scoreboard after a long run down the slideline and striking a shot in the top right corner. For Latigue, the 47th minute goal was the sixth of his career.

“We thought we came out a bit flat in the first half,” Nelson said. “The second half we wanted to press them higher and add a little bit more intensity to the game.”

Three minutes later, Latigue looked to have scored his second goal of the match, but a late foul called in the box on the Mountaineers took the goal off the scoreboard.

After a few chances, senior midfielder David Dodge was fouled in the box, earning a penalty kick in the 84th minute. The senior knocked in his second of the season on a penalty kick, beating Asheville’s Dan Jackson to his left.

Seconds after Dodge’s second goal of the season, sophomore Stanley Broaden found room behind the Asheville defense scored on a breakaway. It was Broaden’s first of his career, as the sophomore slid the ball past Jackson’s left side.

The defense held for the rest of the match to close out Appalachian’s second win of the season. Free records his 11 shutout of his career, second of the season without recording a save.

The Apps will be back in action on Sunday, Sept. 2 as they will return home against UNC Wilmington. Kickoff is set for3 p.m. following the women’s match against Longwood at 12 p.m.